Journal Article Review Epublish
PubMed: 40426875 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13051046
Advancing Head and Neck Cancer Therapies: From Conventional Treatments to Emerging Strategies.
Biomedicines 13(5)
Authors: Aleksandra Mordzińska-Rak, Ilona Telejko, Grzegorz Adamczuk, Tomasz Trombik, Andrzej Stepulak, Ewa Błaszczak
Affiliations
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
- Independent Medical Biology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 8b Jaczewski Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs), particularly head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), are among the most aggressive and prevalent malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract. As the incidence of HNCs continues to rise, this cancer type presents a significant public health challenge. Despite conventional treatment options, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the five-year survival rates remain relatively low due to resistance to these therapies, local recurrence, local lymph node metastasis, and in some advanced cases also distant metastasis. Consequently, patients with HNCs face a high mortality risk and have reduced quality of life due to the side effects of chemo- and radiotherapy. Furthermore, targeted therapies and immunotherapies have also shown limited effectiveness in many cases, with issues related to resistance and the accessibility of these treatments. Therefore, new strategies, such as those based on combination therapies and nanotechnology, are being explored to improve the treatment of HNC patients. The proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) also emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, though research is still ongoing to bring this technology into clinical practice. Here, we aim to highlight the current knowledge of HNC therapies, with a focus on recent advancements, including nanomedicine and PROTAC-based strategies. The development and advancement of novel emerging therapies hold promise for the improvement of patients' survival and quality of life.
MeSH
Radiotherapy, Quality Of Life, Nanomedicine, Nanoparticles, Neoplasms, Immunotherapy, Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of Head And Neck, Neoplasm Metastasis, Head And Neck Neoplasms, Therapeutics